US3734104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for expanding tobacco stems
Assignee: THIERMAN PRODUCTS Inc PO BOX 03371 PORTLAND OR 97203 AN OR CORP
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Filing: 1971-11-04
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-11-04
Abstract
Abstract Expanded tobacco stems are produced having increased filling capacity. Rolled, crushed tobacco stems are cut to filler size and adjusted to a moisture content of about 24 to 60 percent by weight. The high moisture cut stems are subjected to hot gas containing at least 30 percent steam, whereby the moisturized stems are heated to about 250* to 750*F. for about 0.5 to less than 3 seconds. By this process, the filling capacity of the expanded cut stems is increased from 30 to 50 percent or more and the apparent density is materially reduced in comparison to that of an unexpanded control.
Inventors
- 👤 W Buchanan
- 👤 J Madures
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:37
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B3/00; A24B3/18; A24B3/182; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S131/00; Y10S131/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
The process of expanding tobacco stems and increasing their filling capacity consisting essentially crushing and then cutting tobacco stems to cigaret filler dimensions, adjusting the cut tobacco stems to a moisture content of not less than 24 percent to about 60 percent by weight, and then without further stem treatment passing the moisturized stems into a heating and expansion zone, intimately and rapidly contacting the moisturized stems with a hot gaseous heating medium at a temperature in the range of about 250* to 750*F. for about 0.5 to less than 3 seconds, said gaseous heating medium comprising at least about 30 percent by volume of steam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
The process of expanding tobacco stems and increasing their filling capacity consisting essentially crushing and then cutting tobacco stems to cigaret filler dimensions, adjusting the cut tobacco stems to a moisture content of not less than 24 percent to about 60 percent by weight, and then without further stem treatment passing the moisturized stems into a heating and expansion zone, intimately and rapidly contacting the moisturized stems with a hot gaseous heating medium at a temperature in the range of about 250* to 750*F. for about 0.5 to less than 3 seconds, said gaseous heating medium comprising at least about 30 percent by volume of steam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the stems are cut from 75 to 175 cuts/inch before moisture adjustment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 2, wherein the cut stems are moisturized to about 40 to 60 percent by weight prior to the heating step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The procesS of claim 1, wherein the cut tobacco stems are moisturized with water or steam before heating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the gaseous heating medium is superheated steam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the filling capacity of the expanded tobacco stems ranges from about 45 to 70 cc/10 grams.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1, wherein apparent density of the expanded tobacco stems ranges from about 0.70 to 1.0 g/cc.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |